Senior Police Officers Under Watch As PSC Warns Against Bribery In Exams

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday continued its compulsory promotion examinations for senior officers, stressing that the initiative is key to restoring credibility, strengthening professionalism, and enhancing the public image of the Nigeria Police Force.

According to Ireporter Online, the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed that 630 Deputy Superintendents of Police participated in the examination for elevation to the rank of Superintendent. The test was conducted at the Parry Osayande Auditorium, PSC Corporate Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

Ani explained that the exercise is part of ongoing reforms to ensure police promotions are merit-driven, transparent, and devoid of favoritism. The examination was officially declared open by retired Supreme Court Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, the Commission’s representative for the Judiciary.

Justice Galumje urged officers to embrace continuous learning and self-improvement, noting that knowledge and capacity-building remain essential for effective service delivery and career growth.

Also speaking at the event, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd.), Chairman of the PSC’s Standing Committee on Police Matters, described the exercise as both timely and necessary. He admitted that systemic decay had eroded public confidence in the force, highlighting that unlike other security agencies, the police had long neglected promotion examinations.

“We have decided to do exams. If you fail, you fail. We will keep conducting these exams, and this will help the image of the police institution in the eyes of the public,” Lakanu declared.

He also issued a stern warning against attempts to bribe Commission staff, stressing, “We will send you away if caught bribing our staff. Please don’t embarrass us; don’t give, our staff cannot help you.”

The PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd.), reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparent, fair, and timely promotions. He maintained that the exams are designed to ensure that only credible and competent officers earn higher ranks.

“The police of our dream should be one that can function with minimal supervision and deliver without undue influence,” Argungu said.

The promotion examinations and interviews are scheduled to continue next week for officers in the Commissioner cadre, followed by a plenary session later this month. The Commission noted that the ongoing measures are part of wider reforms to professionalise the force, strengthen accountability, and rebuild public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has disowned a viral recruitment notice circulating on social media. The fraudulent document, titled “Nigeria Police Force Recruitment Exercise 2025”, claimed that recruitment would commence on September 22, 2025, and invited applications from SSCE, OND, HND, and B.Sc. holders across various disciplines. Police authorities have dismissed the announcement as fake, urging Nigerians to disregard it.